Friday, June 29, 2007

The Weekender

What a great way to start the weekend. Lovely cool weather and tonight is the Astoria fireworks and the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Waterfront Concert series. Head over to Astoria Park tonight at 7:30 on the Astoria Park Lawn, Shore Blvd., between the Hell Gate Bridge and the Pool. The night will feature an evening of the American big Band Sound with The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra followed by a spectacular Grucci fireworks display over the East River.
When the sparklies are over you can make your way over to Waltz to hear Audrey Silver at 9, as part of their Smokey Jazz Series.
Before all that you can get your tootsies wet in the pool since today is officially opening day!

Saturday Waltz brings us another monthly dose of Talk Wine with Kevin Rose. 7 reds and whites paired with fruits cheeses and other treats. $25 and I recommend to call ahead as this is pretty popular.

I'm still trying to figure out exactly which day they mean, but the Beer Garden is advertising a free performance by the Hellgate Harmonies performing classical Czech music in the band shell from noon to 3, this Saturday July 1st. The only problem is that Sunday is July 1st.

Sunday, Hellgate Social is showing the classic Dr. Strangelove in the outdoor garden area around 8:45/sunset. Awesome movie!

Thursday, June 21, 2007

The Weekender

Coming to you early this week to make up for last week's technical glitch. (I actually had work to do at work and my "reliable" Verizon service was down again at home)

Today is the official start to Summer, whoo hoo! We've got the longest day of the year and what a better way to celebrate it that by heading to Socrates Sculpture Park to partake in their Summer Solstice Celebration. The fun starts at 5 until the sun goes down which should be round abouts 8:30 or so. There will be music, face painting, artmaking workshops, a solstice ritual and food from local restaurants all with the skyline as your backdrop.

Our friends at Waltz are enjoying a much deserved vacation this week. But they'll be back next week with their usual round up of Monday Jazz Lounge, Tuesday Comedy and Wednesday Open Mic Night. And as a sneak peek next Friday as part of their Smokey Jazz Series they bring us the musical stylings of Audrey Silver and Saturday is the monthly Wine Tasting Series with Kevin Rose.

This weekend (and under way right now) Ditmars gets in on the street fair action with the multi day festivities for the St. Antonio Abate Society of Castrofilippo. Check it out on Ditmars between 35 th and 38th streets.

Tomorrow the Beer Garden opens its doors to show their appreciation to some folks who really deserve it; teachers! They also show their love 6-29 as well. BBQ is on and there's no additional cover. Take out a teacher for a pint (hey Michael…want a beer?)

Also tomorrow from 6:30 to 9pm enjoy the Friday Night Chill Paddle brought to us by the good folks at the Astoria Waterfront Group and the LIC Community Boathouse. "Join us for a very casual skyline viewing aboard sit-on-top kayaks. While all paddle trips involve exercise, danger, and cooperation, these weekly outings are maeant to minimize demands and allow participants to unwind." Meet at the LIC Community Boathouse on Anable Cove at East River and 43rd Avenue.

And don't forget, every Sunday, weather permitting, from 1-5pm they have the walk up canoeing and kayaking taking off from Hallets Cove.

Do you have some books you want to get rid of? Maybe see if there are any you can pick up or swap? Have a great book you think folks should read and want to loan it out? Then stop by Freeze Peach Sunday at 2 and look for the folks with the piles of books and join in on the Astorian's book swap. It works like this: you and other folks bring books. You give away what you don't want, take what other people are giving away or loan out a good book to a new trustworthy neighbor. Whatever is left over at the end is collectively carried over to a local thrift store for a donation.

Sunday is also the Opening Day Celebration of PS1. Go get your art on.

Spotted around town:
While I lament the loss of our lovely bona fide French restaurant Le San Souci I noticed that Soho café (don't think it is affiliated with any chain; I've heard there is a chain of sub par bakery/café places called Soho…this looks distinctive) has finished moving in. They've kept a bit of the look of Le San Souci (smart move) I believe I didn't see the distinctive rustic wooden tables but the stone walls are still there. Will have to pop in to investigate soon as I am in the process of moving to that neck of the woods.

Friday, June 08, 2007

The Weekender

Saturday at 6pm bring out the blankets, hide the wine (it may be fun, but it is technically illegal to drink in a park) and to Astoria Park to see the Astoria Symphony present An Outdoor World and play classical music in the park.

Afterwards at 9pm head over to the Beer Garden where you can enjoy some free Jazz music, courtesy of Astoria Jazz Nights.

Sunday morning celebrate the 9th birthday of Gantry State Plaza Park. Join our neighbors in Queens West as they have a birthday breakfast from 10:30-12:20. On the cafe pier (#2) they say to keep an eye out for the balloons and a sniff out for the coffee.

Sunday night is the end. Of the Sopranos that is. In honor of this "momentous occasion" Hell Gate Social will be screening the last episode out in their backyard (weather permitting) complete with free Sicilian pizza and $2 Sicilian Kiss Shots.

You also have the usual weekend fun of yoga, tai chi and capioera at Socrates and walk up Kayaking at Hallets Cove on Sunday.

In other news you can check out the line up for the free movies at Socrates Sculpture Park here.

Enjoy!

Friday, June 01, 2007

The Weekender

Thundershowers are hitting our way this weekend. Oh well, we’re all too pooped from Memorial Day to really want to do a lot this weekend. So this might not be the best weekend to hit up The Water Taxi Beach, the Beer Garden (although there might not be a line) kayaking from Hallets Cove or yoga at Socrates.

Waltz brings us some tunes this weekend.
AMMI is continuing their Sam Fuller retrospective.

Tonight Hell Gate Social hosts the Maximum Rock N’ Roll Inauguration Party
Bringing your favorite ear piercing Punk/Hardcore/Metal DJ Dredd & DJ Taso

Do you have an old inefficient air conditioner? Well if you think you’re saving money by not buying an new one you really aren’t doing yourself any favors. Those older models that don’t have the energy star label really guzzle power so you’re better off bringing it over to Astoria Park on Sunday where you can trade it in for a voucher towards a new energy efficient model. Watch your bill go down. From 10-3pm in the Astoria Park Parking lot @ Hoyt Ave.

Or stay in and keep dry!